Board gaming's most coveted prize is approaching its annual reveal. The Spiel des Jahres jury closed its evaluation window at the end of March, meaning every game in contention has now been played, debated, and scored.
Three nominees per category will be unveiled on May 19 alongside a broader recommendation list. The final winners get their moment on July 12 at a ceremony in Berlin, covering the family-weight Spiel des Jahres, the heavier Kennerspiel des Jahres, and the Kinderspiel des Jahres for children's games.
If you're wondering why this matters beyond bragging rights, consider the impact. A Spiel des Jahres win can shift hundreds of thousands of copies. Last year's winners, Bomb Busters (a cooperative puzzle by Hisashi Hayashi) and Endeavor: Deep Sea (an underwater resource management game by Carl de Visser and Jarratt Gray), both saw their print runs multiply practically overnight.
The 12-member jury, chaired by Harald Schrapers, evaluates games that are available in German and published within the last two years. For publishers, making the shortlist is nearly as valuable as winning, since the distinctive red, blue, and grey pawn logos on a box translate directly into retail sales across Europe.
With hundreds of games submitted and the jury's deliberations now under way, the speculation season is officially open. Which 2025 and 2026 releases will make the cut? The May 19 announcement is the one to watch.
Sources: Spiel des Jahres Official | Brettspiel-News | BGG